Salford City Council hosted five Salford Big Device Giveaway events throughout September and October to help digitally excluded residents to get online.
Over the five events: 1,023 people attended 25 residents were supported with a digital device (refurbished laptops, tablet and smartphones) 222 SIM cards were distributed to residents to support them with their connectivity 167 residents signed up to the council’s digital skills workshops.
The events showcase the councils dedication to delivering essential digital support and its commitment to tackling digital exclusion in the city.
Councillor Tracy Kelly, Salford City Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty, said: “Bridging the digital divide in Salford and supporting residents who are digitally excluded is vital. Having access to a digital device makes a huge difference to the lives of our residents.
“Empowering residents with the tools and skills they need to safely navigate the online world and ensure that residents have access and capacity to use digital technologies is crucial.
“This work forms part of our city’s ambition to become a Digital City, an ambition which forms part of our wider vision and corporate plan for a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all.”
The events were held throughout the city in Swinton, Little Hulton, Broughton, Ordsall and Cadishead to reach as many people as possible.
Salford’s Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) team volunteered their time to ensure each device was securely wiped and refurbished to the highest standards. In just six weeks, they dedicated 152 hours to prepare 329 devices, ensuring residents received equipment that was functional, secure, and ready for immediate use.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “In Salford we are committed to ensuring digital inclusion is at the forefront of what we do. Salford’s Digital Inclusion service and our partners help residents all year round to ensure they are getting the support they need.
“As the world around us becomes increasingly digital, it’s vital we continue to provide our residents access to essential technology and skills. We want to ensure no one is left behind and the support we’re able to provide through our Digital Inclusion team makes a real difference to people’s learning and skills development, and their ability to access a wide range of services and support online.”
Solving digital exclusion is a huge priority and these events coincided with wider Digital Inclusion events in the calendar including Digital Poverty Alliance’s End Digital Poverty Day on 12 September, Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) Digitober which is a campaign focused on celebrating the amazing work of Greater Manchester’s digital sector, and Good Thing’s Foundation’s Get Online Week which occurs in late October.
Councillor Nick Peel, GMCA Lead for Digital said “This scheme shows the council’s commitment to bridging the digital divide. By providing essential technology and training to our residents, we are not only driving forward digital literacy but also ensuring that everyone in Greater Manchester has the opportunity to access the benefits of an increasingly diital world. Digital inclusion is crucial for social equity, economic growth, and community well-being, and initiatives like the Big Device Giveaway are pivotal in driving forward our vision of a digitally inclusive society.”
The council worked with partners on delivering these events, organisations who offered support included AJ Bell who donated 30 refurbished laptops for the councils first event in Swinton, AJ Bell also gifted laptops to local schools, community skills providers supporting refugees and to Salford Foundation.
Virgin Media O2, Hubbub, and The National Databank contributed an impressive 150 smartphones and O2 SIM cards through the Community Calling initiative, making digital access a reality for many.
A local resident, Jason, who attended the event in Broughton and was supported with a free tablet and SIM card said: “This will really help me, I’m going to use these for work. I’m planning on signing up for a management college course and a Disability Job Fair in Manchester.
“It’s really hard to get back into applying for jobs, especially when you’re trying to remember everything you want to say in your head. This [tablet] will really help with writing CVs and applying for jobs. It will help me get the right support.”
To find out more about Salford’s Big Device Giveaway events and to access digital support in Salford visit: https://digitalinclusion.salford.gov.uk/
